Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Pribilski.
Kelsey, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born into a military family, who eventually settled in Harker Heights, TX (right outside of Fort Hood/Killeen). My mom was constantly trying to keep me and my brothers busy with extracurricular activities, so she enrolled me in ballet and one of my brothers in theater. I distinctly remember being in my ballet clothes going to pick my brother up from play rehearsal at Vive Les Arts and thinking “I need to be up on that stage.” I’ve been acting ever since. I never thought it was a career possibility because I knew how difficult the industry can be. But after being enrolled in college for a couple of years and never being able to pick a major because all I wanted to do was an act, I knew I just had to go for it. I moved to Austin, TX in 2011 and have been slowly growing my career for the last eight years.
Has it been a smooth road?
My road has almost never been smooth. I’ve faced so many setbacks and had too many “almost’s” to even count. The only thing that has kept me going at times is me breaking it down and knowing that there is literally nothing else I would rather be doing with my life at the end of the day.
My advice to other women pursuing this career is to be kind, constantly be working on your craft, and if you find yourself not getting the roles that you want- create your own content! If you keep doing that, you will eventually attract the things you want. It may take years, but it will happen.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m an actress and have recently produced a couple of projects as well. I’m most known for the food travel show, BBQuest, which is now streaming on Hulu.
I’m most proud of a music video called “Ember Days- Without Love” I made with my boyfriend filmmaker, Jeff Ray. I helped produce it and also starred in the video. It required a lot of psychical training and was such an emotionally complex story that I loved portraying. I even got to incorporate some of my old ballet skills!
I think one of the things that set me apart is that even though I do some incredibly dramatic roles, I’m also able to do comedy. Making people laugh with a character is one of my favorite things to do.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
As much grief as I give her, I’m really inspired by my mother. The older I get, the more respect I have for her. She has swept away from her family and everything she’s ever known because my dad was constantly getting stationed in different places with the military. While my father was deployed, she had to take care of three children by herself. We never missed a band practice or dance class.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/kelseypribilski
- Facebook: facebook.com/kelseypribilskiactor
Image Credit:
Arlen J., Aaron Bates
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